EXPERIENCE

Just four years earlier, in 1923, another revolutionary innovation had taken place, none other than sunbathing. The pioneer was the famous Coco Chanel in Cannes.

From the very beginning of human existence, the contact with the sea has been inevitable due to the need for food and transport. However, the perils of the sea and the unknown gave rise to myths and legends of terrifying creatures lurking in the sea water. People would only swim to train for military purposes, to exercise and to secure food.

In other respects, the coast would remain as the boundary between the safety of the

land and the danger of the sea. Swimming for pleasure and recreation would take many, many years to emerge. The first to “venture” into seaside fun and swimming seem to have been the upper-class Romans. However, this practice did not last long.

George Pastakas, Saint Fokas, mixed media on cardboard, 21 x 30cm.

During the Middle Ages, the Church identified nudity with sin, thus making any contact with water, and even more so with the sea, forbidden. Even references to instances of swimming for military purposes are sporadic.

In Byzantium, where the Greco-Roman tradition was stronger, on the one hand, thermal baths and baths continued to operate, while, on the other hand, the contact with the sea seems to have been more popular as a professional occupation in cases such as pearl fishing, as a religious practice of water sanctification and as a form of entertainment.

The Renaissance brought to Europe the exoneration of swimming and physical exercise in general.

Katerina Hatzis, The Wonderful Waters III, oil on linen, 100 × 150 cm. From the exhibition "The Wonderful Waters" at the Hydra Historical Archive Museum.

In the years of the great discoveries, although sea expeditions were frequent, long and dangerous, the majority of the crews did not know how to swim. So much so that they were impressed by the swimming skills of the natives. Of course, this skill, in keeping with the racist spirit of the Europeans of the time, was perceived as a sign of racial inferiority.

However, scholars of the time, advocates of physical education, increasingly emphasized the benefits of swimming. To these should be added the medical views about the benefits of sea water and swimming. Gradually it seems that his suggestions found a response in the upper classes. Thus, in the 17th century, swimming became part of the leisure activities of the French King Louis XI and his court. It was also adopted by the English King Charles II and the English nobility. Of course, it was limited to flotation and clumsy wading, but it had opened the way to widespread recreational swimming. It would take several more years, though, for its establishment.

From the middle of the 18th century, seaside resorts started appearing, initially aimed at those seeking some kind of treatment in the sea water. In 1824, the first organised beach in continental Europe was founded in Dieppe, France, thanks to Marie-Caroline of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Berry, who was influenced by the English aristocrats. Gradually, Dieppe became an attraction for the French aristocracy which headed there for sea bathing, and it was not long before a tourist industry developed with a hotel and casino to cater for wealthy visitors. It was only a matter of time before the new habit spread and more and more beaches with changing rooms, tourist facilities, activities, etc. appeared, of course separately for men and women.

Elias Harissias, Bather, Acrylic on paper 34X31.5cm, 1989 Elias Harissias, Bather, Acrylic on paper 34X31.5cm, 1989

Katerina Hatzis, The Wonderful Waters II, oil on linen, 100 × 120 cm. From the exhibition “The Wonderful Waters” at the Historical Archive Museum of Hydra.

The development of the railway in the mid-19th century facilitated travel throughout Europe and sea resorts began to develop from the Mediterranean Sea to Scandinavia, with the most popular being the French Riviera, which was being visited en masse by members of the English aristocracy.

In Greece, this new European trend took a while to appear and was treated with caution by the Greek mores of the time. The beginning was made in the 1840s with the first popular coast at Pasalimani in Piraeus. Little by little, Athenians began to visit other nearby beaches in Attica. The Athenian upper class began to build mansions in Faliro, while in the late 19th and early 20th century, the construction of two large hotels, the Grand Hotel and Aktaion, commenced, proving that the coastal part of Attica was becoming popular.

Evidence of a shift in morals in Greece constituted the introduction of the “bain-mixte” in 1927, with a delay of a few decades in comparison to their first appearance in Europe. Of course, the “mixed” beaches had already spread to the most remote beaches of Attica “Mixed baths and free baths … are taking place all over the world, wherever there are sea, rocks and sand; and, at last, they are not taking less place in Greece. What is taking place in Skaramangas, Agios Andreas, Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni, the Piraeus peninsula should also be taking place on the shores of Palaio Faliro”. (Vradini newspaper, June, 7 of 1927).

Only four years before, in 1923, another revolutionary innovation had taken place, and it was none other than tanning. The pioneer was the famous Coco Chanel in Cannes. Since then, tanning has become a worldwide phenomenon. Until 1923, it was considered as a characteristic of the rural population working in the countryside, and the upper classes had to avoid it. Still, following the example set by Chanel, this mentality changed. From that point on, tanning was typical of the upper middle class, which could afford and had the free time to take holidays in sunny resorts.

The habit of sea bathing was introduced “from high up”, meaning from the aristocratic classes, to be loved, though, by everyone. Nowadays, a huge industry has developed with the sea at its core, which involves clothing, cosmetics, accessories, infrastructure and facilities, catering, sports and much more.